DIEPPE, NB, Dec. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Cavendish Farms announced today it had
concluded an agreement to buy the assets of Maple Leaf Potatoes, the
frozen potato business of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., including a 142,000
sq. ft. processing facility in Lethbridge, Alberta. The transaction is
expected to close by year-end 2012.

"Cavendish Farms is focused on growth opportunities that are a good fit
for our existing business. This announcement will result in a more
competitive Cavendish with stronger capabilities to service our
customers from coast to coast in North America. It enhances our
national distribution network in the foodservice and retail sectors in
Canada and builds on our strong position in the United States," said Robert Irving, President of Cavendish Farms and Co-Chief Executive
Officer of J.D. Irving, Limited.

The company expects to retain all employees currently working at the
Lethbridge plant in addition to international employees. "We are pleased to be able to offer continued employment to those
employees and look forward to their contributions as members of the
Cavendish Farms team," Mr. Irving said. "The Lethbridge plant is a well-maintained facility whose 135 employees
produce quality frozen potato products for customers in Canada, in the
United States and in key export markets."

Mr. Irving said he also looked forward to meeting with potato growers,
suppliers and local stakeholders: "A plant of this size and scale is important to the local economy in
the City of Lethbridge, providing sustainable jobs and an anchor to the
growing community in Southern Alberta.We want to build on those longstanding relationships and continue
investing and growing the business into the future."

Cavendish Farms will continue to produce and market all products
formerly offered by Maple Leaf Potatoes in the near term and will seek
to retain all existing customer relationships. The Lethbridge plant
currently produces a variety of high-quality products, including frozen
French fries and other specialty potato products. "I personally want to assure existing customers of our commitment to
uninterrupted supply, quality products and service, and, to ensuring a
seamless and efficient transition to Cavendish Farms," concluded Mr. Irving.

The Lethbridge plant is strategically located in close proximity to
Southern Alberta's prime agricultural region, renowned for its high
yields of quality potatoes ideal for French fry production. The plant
operates to the highest quality and safety standards and has been
HACCP-certified since 2001.

About Cavendish Farms - Cavendish Farms is a producer of frozen potato and appetizer products in
the food industry. It supplies North American and international
customers for retail, restaurant and institutional use. The company
operates three state-of-the-art potato processing plants - two on
Prince Edward Island and the other in Jamestown, North Dakota. It also
operates a fourth plant specializing in appetizer products in Wheatley,
Ontario. Cavendish Farms is an award-winning leader in food safety.
For more information, visit the company's website at www.cavendishfarms.com.

About J.D. Irving, Limited - J.D. Irving, Limited is a diverse, family-owned enterprise with 130
years of involvement in the New Brunswick business community. Founded
in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Eastern Canada
and the United States. The company employs a dedicated team of
approximately 15,000 employees who operate business units in Forestry &
Forest Products; Road, Rail and Sea Transportation; Shipbuilding &
Industrial Marine; Retail; Industrial Equipment, Construction Services
& Building Materials; and Food and Consumer Products. For more
information, visit the company's website at www.jdirving.com.

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